New Brunswick's acting chief medical officer of health is encouraging people to mask during holiday gatherings as the provincewide whooping cough outbreak has spiked to more than 800 cases and other viruses, such as COVID-19, the flu and RSV continue to spread.

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A Hampton man charged with having possession of a stolen Saint John municipal vehicle in Fredericton this summer appeared before a judge in custody Tuesday for failing to attend court last month.

Jean-Paul Dezainde, 36, of Acadia Crescent, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from the city police station cellblock Tuesday morning.

Judge Natalie LeBlanc said he was arrested on a warrant that was issued last month when he failed to answer a summons to appear in court.

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Christmas by-the-Sea Fest draws hundred to St. Andrews + Sistema St. Stephen students perform first concert + Clothes line initiative helps locals in need + St. Andrews Kiwanis Club continues tradition of bringing seniors holiday baskets

Original Broadcast Date: December 17, 2024

CHCO-TV NewsBreak26 is an original CHCO Television production produced at the CHCO-TV studio in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

The Horizon Health Network is trying to avoid last year's hospital holiday crunch at emergency departments.

Charges against three men accused of starting a fire that destroyed a fish smokehouse in southeastern New Brunswick in July have been dropped.

Dominic LeBlanc, the federal public safety minister and newly appointed finance minister, says he’s optimistic tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. can be avoided.

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A Fredericton man accused of taking people hostage in a police standoff last month is facing a new string of charges alleged to have occurred earlier this fall.

Bradley Douglas Webb, 36, of no fixed address, was scheduled to go through a bail hearing in Fredericton provincial court Monday.

He’s been in custody since his arrest Nov. 19 after a standoff with police that shut down a northside neighbourhood for several hours.

Webb faces charges of assaulting Kimberley Murray and Tonya Francis with a weapon (a BB gun), pointing a firearm at Francis, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to Thomas and Francis, and unlawfully confining them, all stemming from events that morning.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York blown away by generosity

Three organizers of 100 Women Who Care River Valley Chapter made Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York Board Chair Kippy Taylor squeal in surprise when they revealed the total amount from their November event.
 
“Thanks to an anonymous donor, our evening total of $18,150 was significantly higher,” said organizer Kerry Culberson. 

She and committee members Debbi Graham and Laura Cook were on hand to present the $38,150 cheque to Kippy Taylor.

“I can’t believe this!” she said, grinning ear to ear. 

At the Nov. 8 event, women heard presentations from three charities. Those in attendance brought signed cheques for at least $100.

After the presentations, the women voted, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York was the winner.

“This is amazing,” said Taylor, beaming after being told of the final tally.
“We help kids from Nackawic to Upper Kent, and are compltely self supporting, which means we have to rais all the money ourselves to pay for programming, and rent. This money will be put to very good use. The generosity is overwhelming.”

Currently, the organization has 37 matches, with 19 children on the waiting list. 

The organization’s mandate also includes a ‘comfort fund’ which recently helped pay for dental work (thanks to the generosity of a local dentist) for a low-income family with a child in their program.

“Mentorship changes lives,” said Taylor. “We see it every day.”

The post 100 Women Who Care make big impact with $38,150 donation first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Lake George man who’s been in custody since his arrest on Halloween on drug charges was released on conditions Monday and is now subject to conditions while free in the community.

Joseph Vernon Murphy, 44, of Route 635, had been scheduled to go through a bail hearing in Fredericton provincial court Monday.

He faces Oct. 31 counts of charges of possessing cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl, hydromorphone and clonazepam, all for the purpose of trafficking; possessing the proceeds of crime (namely, $11,485 in cash), storing three shotgun shells carelessly; and breaching a court-ordered prohibition against possessing firearms and ammunition, all in Fredericton.

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When a Fredericton police officer busted a city woman for a drug-trafficking crime, he also found a young child asleep in the car containing thousands of dollars worth of meth, court heard Monday.

Kelli Mahalia Noble, 53, of Irvine Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Monday for sentencing on a serious drug offence.

She’d previously pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Noble had also been charged with trafficking in meth, but that count was reserved until after sentencing.

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It could cost tens of millions of dollars to implement a Moncton council motion aimed at addressing a pungent smell in the city's north end, councillors heard Monday.

Two people are dead following a crash on a highway near downtown Moncton on Sunday evening.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt took part in another premiers' meeting on Monday, a day of upheaval for the federal government.

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A Wassis man accused of dealing drugs in the Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation and who was allegedly the target of vigilantism now stands accused of twice violating a no-go order.

Anthony Shane O’Blenis, 27, of Route 655, elected last week to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to July 18 counts of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon (a BB gun), possessing that BB gun for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possessing the proceeds of crime and trespassing, all Welamukotuk First Nation.

His trial on those matters is set for January 2026, and he was free subject to the conditions of a police undertaking.

However, O’Blenis appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from the RCMP detachment in Oromocto, having been arrested on suspicion of violating that undertaking.

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A Fredericton man who was a no-show for court earlier this month for election and pleas on serious charges stemming from an alleged firearm discharge last year has been released on conditions again.

Darrell Richard Barnes, 51, of Brunswick Street, was a no-show in Fredericton provincial court Dec. 5, when he was scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter pleas to a number of serious charges.

They include allegations of discharging a firearm at Dustin Madden in Geary with intent to wound him or endanger his life, pointing a firearm at Madden, possessing a rifle without a licence, and possessing stolen social insurance and Visa cards, on Oct. 3, 2023, in Geary; and of breaching a release order by failing to attend court Nov. 23, 2023.

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The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station has returned to operation after being out of service for eight months, according to NB Power. 

In the spring, the station underwent planned maintenance. NB Power said it was upgrading equipment and ensuring the ongoing reliability and safety of the station’s operations. 

“During start-up protocol, following work completion, a critical issue was identified with the main generator which is located on the non-nuclear side of the station – an area that was not worked on during the outage,” the utility said in a release. “This issue needed to be addressed before returning the station online.” 

Repairs were made to six stator bars located within the main generator – which is the stationary part that converts the rotating magnetic field into electric current. 

“This process was very complex and required careful disassembly, reassembly, and extensive testing to meet the strict safety and operational standards,” the release explained. 

Lori Clark, NB Power’s president and CEO, said the return of PLNGS highlights the incredible dedication of the team and their commitment to serving customers. 

“I am proud of the professionalism and expertise our team has shown in overcoming this challenge. This underscores our pride and commitment to delivering sustainable, safe, and reliable energy to New Brunswickers.” 

The station coming online as the winter months and colder temperatures pick up will help meet the province’s energy needs during what the utility considers a peak season. 

It is estimated to have cost $900,000 for each day that Point Lepreau is offline. NB Power did not say how much taking the generating station offline would cost in its most recent release, but said it “is actively exploring options to mitigate costs for customers, including potential recovery through corporate insurance policies.”

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The RCMP has named a new commanding officer for Mounties in New Brunswick.

In a news release issued Monday, the force announced Assistant Commissioner Matco Sirotic would be the new top Mountie in the province. His appointment was made Dec. 11.

He takes over from Assistant Commissioner DeAnna Hill, who was named to the post just two years ago in November 2022.

The RCMP reports that Sirotic is a 20-year veteran of the force, having graduated from depot in 2004.

He was promoted to the rank of corporal in 2021, it said, and served as the Minto detachment commander. He was subsequently posted to Nunavut in 2014 and promoted to sergeant during that time.

Sirotic became the detachment commander in Iqaluit and was promoted to staff sergeant, it said, and then he took on the role of watch commander in Halifax.

“In 2020, Assistant Commissioner Sirotic became a commissioned officer and served as the director of the Atlantic Regional Departmental Security Section for Nova Scotia,” the release said.

That led to his installation as the officer in charge of operational policy and criminal operations for H Division in Nova Scotia last year, the RCMP reported, and earlier this year, Sirotic was promoted to the rank of superintendent and became the officer in charge of specialized policing and operational support services in New Brunswick.

Sirotic is the 32nd officer to take command of the RCMP in New Brunswick, the release said.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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The Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews put together around 120 Christmas food baskets for local seniors who mainly live alone. 

Each basket is filled with some food items, holiday treats, and a hand-written card from students at Vincent Massey Elementary School. 

There was plenty of people on hand to pack the bags, like an assembly line, with community members giving back. (Nathalie Sturgeon/The Courier)

Sue Lister, Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews member, said it is a nice way to spread community cheer during the holidays. 

“They get a chance to say hi to a Kiwanian, get a wonderful basket of treats, and we just say thank you for being part of our community,” she said in an interview with The Courier. 

Kids from the community also get involved with fundraising for the baskets, packing the bags, and ultimately delivering them. 

“Those are our kids,” she said. “This is the second year that the kids have helped us out by putting our baskets together and they love it. They said it was the highlight of their year as one of the community things that they do all year long.”

There are also about 12 poinsettias available for people with dietary restrictions and any form of diabetes. 

The Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews has been doing this for about 50 years, but the tradition has grown. (Nathalie Sturgeon/The Courier)

According to Lister, the tradition started nearly 50 years ago and has continued to grow. It began with just a few items and now is a full basket. 

“It’s important to keep it alive and keep it going because it is such a feel-good for our club and hopefully for the community as well,” Lister explained.  “All of our items are purchased locally as well, so it helps the local economy.” 

She said in the end, they get a lot of thank-yous, even in the form of cards. 

“We get a lot of thank you cards, which is wonderful to read. How pleased they were that somebody stopped in. That somebody remembered them,” she said.

Canada Post workers will return to work on Tuesday following a decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board. 

According to a release from Canada Post, after two days of hearings, the CIRB issued a ruling confirming the parties are at an impasse. 

“As a result, the CIRB has ordered employees to return to work and postal operations to begin to resume at 8 a.m. local time on Dec. 17,” the release said. “We will share further details shortly, but want to remind employees and customers that our operations will remain closed on Dec. 16.” 

Canada Post said it looks forward to welcoming the employees back to work, “serving the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on our services.” 

It said while the terms of the existing collective agreement extends until March 2025, it will put forward an offer to implement a wage increase of five per cent for employees, which “was proposed in the company’s last global offer.” 

“With both parties in agreement, the wage increase will be retroactive to the day after each collective agreement expires. The increase will be in effect going forward, and the retroactive portion will be paid out to current employees,” it said in the release. 

Regular full-time and part-time employees will get an upfront payment of $1000 before Christmas and $500 for temporary employees based on a minimum number of hours, the Crown corporation said, with the remainder of the retroactive pay to be given by the end of January. 

It said in the release that its commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that would help it better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service. 

CUPW responds to the minister

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said in a release on Dec. 13 that it denounces the decision to send the strike to CIRB. 

“We denounce in the strongest terms this assault on our constitutionally protected right to free and fair collective bargain and our right to strike,” it said in the release. “This order continues a deeply troubling pattern in which successive federal governments have used back-to-work legislation or, in this case, its arbitrary powers to let employers off the hook from bargaining in good faith.”

It described the decision by Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon as an abuse of power. It questioned the timing of the decision as well, claiming Canada Post has had the union offer for the last five days without a response. 

“We will continue to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions and to retire with dignity. We have been pushing Canada Post for years to expand services to generate more revenue,” it said in the release. “We must stand strong in the face of this abuse of power.”

There has been no response to the decision by the CIRB by the union yet.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet just hours before the federal government was scheduled to release the fall fiscal update. 

In a scathing letter posted to her social media on Monday, Freeland said that on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told her he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister but offered her another position within the cabinet. 

“Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from cabinet,” she wrote in the letter. 

Freeland explained in the letter that the two had been at odds for several weeks over Canada’s path forward. 

“Our country today faces a grave challenge,” she said in the letter. “The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs.”

She said the threat must be taken seriously. 

“That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have reserves we may need for a coming tariff war,” she wrote in the letter. “This means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.” 

Freeland said she has been grateful for her opportunity and will remain as an MP, and will run in the next federal election. 

It comes as Sean Fraser, a prominent Atlantic Canada Liberal MP and federal housing minister, also resigned this morning from the cabinet. He also said he will not seek re-election. The decisions leave another gap in the federal cabinet as a shuffle is looming. 

A federal election is expected to be called in October 2025.

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A transient admitted Friday to brandishing an axe when he attacked a Fredericton community safety officer - the same officer he was convicted of assaulting with an axe last year.

Richard Andrew Hunter, 48, of no fixed address, appeared in Fredericton provincial jail by telephone from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Friday to answer to a couple of charges.

Present in court was his defence counsel was lawyer Wanda Severns.

Hunter pleaded guilty to a March 28 charge of breaching his probation by failing to report to his probation officer, a Sept. 18 count of failing to attend court, a Sept. 21 charge of assaulting Elias Eliakis with a weapon - namely, an axe.

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A defence lawyer argued for a lenient sentence of less than six months in jail for his Syrian client last week, arguing the stiffer sentence sought by the Crown would see him ousted from Canada.

Akram Al Khalifa, 38, of Hawkins Street in Fredericton, was convicted in October after trial of summary counts of sexual assault and an indecent act.

The victim in the case was a woman who was a passenger in Al Khalifa’s taxi the night of March 12, 2022, and her identity is protected by a court-ordered ban on publication and broadcasting.

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Jason Peter Mollins is now serving a prison term for drug-trafficking and stolen-property crimes, but his family members won’t have to worry about incarceration.

Mollins, 40, formerly of Emmerson Street in Fredericton, was sentenced to seven years behind bars last month, less credit for time served on remands, for 13 crimes, including possession of crystal meth, cocaine, hydromorphone and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of stolen items such as three snowblowers, a tractor and a wood chipper.

Those charges arose after police raided his home and the northside residence of his mother, Eunice Gill, on Nov. 30, 2023.

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What began as a 98-day planned and budgeted maintenance shutdown on April 6 ballooned into a 248-day outage, after an unexpected problem surfaced in the station's generator.

The Holt government’s reversal on legislation that would lower the price of gas by four cents a litre came just days after a longtime Liberal Party insider lobbied Energy Minister René Legacy on the issue.

Woodstock Police Force and Woodstock Atlantic Superstore partner in successful campaign for Valley Food Bank

The Valley Food Bank van parked next to a pair of Woodstock Police Force cruisers in front of the Atlantic Superstore in Woodstock Friday afternoon, Dec. 14, to collect more than 134 bags of groceries destined for food bank clients over the holidays and into the new year. 

Atlantic Superstore manager Joe Hastie thanked the police force for partnering with them to launch the inaugural “Cram a Cruiser” campaign to collect food bank donations. 

The campaign enabled its customers to purchase a $10 bag of groceries for delivery to the food bank. Hastie said each bag contained more than $10 worth of grocery items suggested by Valley Food Bank officials. 

Each bag contained a list of the items inside, signed by the customer. 

WPF Deputy Chief Simon Watts said the store staff contacted the police force, which happily joined the campaign. 

“Certainly, at this time of year, there’s a lot of hardship, and with the extra demands on food banks nowadays, we jumped at the chance to partner with them,” he said.

Campbell said they came up with the idea of Cram a Cruiser, which was a great way to support those in need throughout their community. 

Valley Food Bank executive director Monica Grant welcomed the support, thanking everyone involved. 

Like most food banks, she said the Valley Food Bank faces a tough time as the client list and demands increase while donations decline. She said the donations will provide a boost as the organization heads into Christmas and prepares for the new year. 

“This is a fantastic way to start out our New Year base boxes,” she said. 

As Community Relations Officer, Sgt. Shaun Kimball leads the WPF Community Engagement Unit. He helped Deputy Chief Watts and Cst. Ryan Paul transfer the bags of groceries from the police cars and inside the store into the Valley Food Bank truck. 

Kimball and Watts praised the store staff and their customers for the success of the Cram a Cruiser campaign. 

Atlantic Superstore staff Amber Watts and Shannon Delfine joined Hastie and the police officers in loading the truck.

Hastie, who moved to Woodstock four years ago, said he saw this type of campaign in other areas of the country, but he believes it is the first for Woodstock. 

He and the police officers credited the generosity of Carleton County shoppers for the campaign’s success. 

The post Shoppers help store, police ‘Cram a Cruiser’ for food bank first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Vehicle left highway, landing in ditch

A 24-year-old man from Coles Harbour, Nova Scotia, has died following a single-vehicle collision on Route 2 in Summerfield, New Brunswick.

On December 13, 2024, at approximately 8:06 p.m., members of the Western Valley Region RCMP and the Perth-Andover Detachment responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Route 2 in Summerfield.

The collision is believed to have occurred when the vehicle, travelling westbound on Route 2, veered off the road and landed in the ditch. The victim, a 24-year-old man, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

Members of Ambulance New Brunswick attended the scene.

An RCMP Collision Reconstructionist and a member of the New Brunswick Coroner’s Office are assisting with the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

The post N.S. man dies in Summerfield crash first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Nova Scotia man was killed Friday evening in a single-vehicle crash in Summerfield, about an hour east of Fredericton, the RCMP reports.

The victim was a 24-year-old man from Cole Harbour, N.S., the RCMP said in a news release Sunday, noting the incident occurred about 80 kilometres east of Gagetown..

“On Dec. 13, 2024, at approximately 8:06 p.m., members of the Western Valley Region RCMP and the Perth-Andover detachment responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Route 2 in Summerfield,” the release said.

“The collision is believed to have occurred when the vehicle, travelling westbound on Route 2, veered off the road and landed in the ditch. The victim, a 24-year-old man, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.”

The release didn’t indicate if he was the sole occupant of the vehicle or if there were others with him.

Ambulance New Brunswick personnel attended the scene, the RCMP said, noting that a collision reconstructionist and an official with the New Brunswick coroner's office are also assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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A 24-year-old man from Cole Harbour, N.S., has died in a single-vehicle collision in Summerfield, N.B. Police say they responded to a call on Friday shortly after 8 p.m.

Saint John’s out of-the-cold shelter opened on Dec. 6 with 60 beds, 20 more than the out-of-the-cold response last winter. Melanie Vautour, executive director of Fresh Start Services, hopes the space will outlast winter.

A new report on New Brunswick's arts, culture and heritage venues has found that many are in poor condition, securing funding is "a significant concern" and workers in the sector are beset by challenges, including low incomes and mental health challenges.

A Cirque du Soleil show will be stopping in New Brunswick this winter, featuring one of the province’s own renowned figure skaters.

Send your best snaps and video from around the province to [email protected]

The Fredericton Police Force's plan to hire retired police officers to temporarily bolster department staff is being criticized over concerns it could put the civilian employees at risk.

Local business owners say they’ve had to change their point-of-sale systems on short notice, but others expect customers will spend more after tax break begins today.

Moncton police Cpl. Aurèle Bourgeois and Const. Mike O'Leary were killed in 1974 as they were investigating a kidnapping.

Premier Susan Holt’s government appears headed for a confrontation with Ottawa over $70 million in tax revenue the province will lose as a result of a federal sales-tax holiday starting this weekend.

While an official announcement isn’t expected anytime soon, it appears the Acadie-Bathurst Titan will be moving to St. John’s, according to several hockey insiders.

Almost all charges against two men who allegedly sexually exploited people online and threatened them into paying thousands of dollars were stayed by a prosecutor this week.

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A Québec City man was sentenced to probation this week for a sex-crime he perpetrated against a young girl when he was also a minor.

The offender appeared before Justice Cameron Gunn in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday for sentencing, after previously pleading guilty to touching a minor for sexual purpose in Oromocto between July 1, 2010 and Aug. 31, 2015.

While Gunn is a judge of the Court of King’s Bench, he was still a provincial court judge when he was initially seized with the case, explaining why he was appearing once again in the lower court.

Court heard previously that the RCMP investigated a complaint about the defendant, alleging that when he was between the ages of 13 and 15, he had sexually abused a girl who’d been only six to eight years old during the relevant timeframe.

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While many stores are alive with busy holiday shoppers, one business owner in Saint John says shoplifting has become an increasing problem in recent years.

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A Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation man who’d been freed subject to conditions of judicial release orders on several occasions has been denied his freedom after his latest bail hearing.

Callum James McGraw, 37, of Geegan Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Thursday for a bail hearing.

He’s awaiting trial on numerous charges dating back May 10, 2023, and alleged to have occurred in Taymouth, just north of Fredericton.

The defendant had denied counts of possessing a stolen rifle and shotgun; violating a court order prohibiting him from possessing firearms; possessing them without a licence, and knowing he didn’t have a licence; possessing a stolen pellet gun, chainsaw and tool set; and being unlawfully at large.

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The provincial government announced eight major school projects earlier this week, and Education Minister Claire Johnson says a number of criteria are considered when assessing which proposals have the greatest need.

A boil water advisory for the town of Saint Andrews has been lifted after two days. 

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The Fredericton Police Force reports that officers detained a male suspect Tuesday evening after finding a loaded handgun, but he was released after a brief court appearance Thursday.

The police force issued a news release Friday morning about an incident earlier in the week allegedly involving a firearm, noting that officers responded to a weapons complaint in the uptown area Tuesday evening.

“Upon arrival, officers secured the scene and quickly apprehended a 33-year-old male,” the release said, noting the arrest occurred without incident.

“An initial search of the location resulted in the seizure of a loaded handgun.”

As a result of that arrest, Michael Donelle, 33, of Fredericton, was charged with counts of using a firearm in the commission of an offence, carrying a concealed weapon, occupying a motor vehicle knowing a firearm was located therein, possessing a loaded and restricted firearm and uttering threats, among others.

He was remanded after an initial court appearance Wednesday, and he was brought back before Fredericton provincial court Judge Lyne Raymond on Thursday afternoon, scheduled to go through a bail hearing.

However, prosecutor Megan Kervin instead changed the Crown’s position on his detention and consented to his release on a number of conditions.

Judge Lyne Raymond imposed the requested judicial release order, the conditions of which include the wearing and maintenance of an electronic-monitoring ankle bracelet.

Donnelle is due back in court Jan. 6 to elect mode of trial and enter pleas.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A Fredericton man was sentenced this week to time already served for having care and control of a car while high, possessing a stolen car and fleeing from police, but he remains in custody.

Zacary Robert Morris, 25, of Needham Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court in custody Wednesday for a sentencing hearing on various charges.

However, he also faces outstanding counts alleging drug-trafficking activity that he’s denied and for which he’s set to stand trial.

Those charges include possessing meth, fentanyl and cocaine for the purposes of trafficking, possessing the proceeds of crime - $2,340 in Canadian currency - all alleged to have occurred March 30.

An evidentiary hearing in the case is scheduled for June 3 in provincial court, and the trial is slated for Aug. 11 and 12.

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For the second year in a row, the City of Fredericton is freezing the regional airport's property-tax rate and raising the rate for thousands of homeowners.

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For the third time in two weeks, police responded urgently to a report of a weapon-related threat Thursday, though like once from last week, officers found no safety risk.

The Fredericton Police Force issued an advisory through social media Thursday afternoon about a significant police presence at Fredericton High School between Priestman and Prospect streets beginning over the lunch hour.

“This afternoon at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Fredericton Police Force (FPF) responded to Fredericton High School (FHS) after school administration received information indicating a potential firearm may have been within the building,” the force’s post said.

“Police arrived on scene at 12:46 p.m., and the school was quickly placed in a partial lockdown while officers secured the premises and ensured the safety of students and staff.”

It said that after a thorough search and investigation, police determined there was no threat, prompting the end of the partial lockdown at 2:57 p.m.

“Although this potential firearm response turned out to be unfounded, the FPF will always treat such situations with the utmost seriousness and take all necessary precautions to ensure everyone's safety,” the force said.

Thursday’s events came just six days after a similar situation at FHS. On Dec. 6, the school was placed on a lockdown after a similar and also unfounded threat was made.

“[That] afternoon at 3:35 p.m., the Fredericton Police Force (FPF) responded to a potential threat at Fredericton High School,” the force said last week.

“A student received a text message from an unknown number indicating a potential shooter scenario, prompting the school administration to contact 911.”

Nothing was found, and students and staff were permitted to leave the building shortly before 6 p.m.

And on Nov. 28, city police officers responded to FHS, but in that instance, it appears there was some merit to the emergency call.

Police arrested a 14-year-old male student, who was later released on conditions, with a promise to appear in court at a later date.

It’s expected he’ll face such charges as possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace and carrying a concealed weapon, a police spokesperson said late last month.

Police didn’t reveal the nature of the weapon alleged to have been involved in that incident.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for certain Oasis Treasures-brand Pistachio Dubai Chocolate bars because of possible salmonella contamination.

With space for up to 40 people, the shelter will operate out of the former Winners Lounge at the Fredericton Exhibition grounds.